Field-Switching Ion Gate Layout for Compact High-Resolution IMS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion mobility spectrometers face challenges in achieving compact, cost-effective designs with high resolution and sensitivity, particularly due to the need for additional field generation devices and potential interference from electric fields during ionization.
Innovation Solution
The integration of field-switching ion gates with additional electrodes, allowing for double-field and extended-field switching techniques, which enable ion packet compression and shielding, resulting in a compact design without additional field generation devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If additional field generation devices are added to improve ion mobility spectrometer performance, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The additional electrode performs multiple functions: it generates the necessary electric field for ion mobility separation, compresses ion packets to improve resolution, and shields the ionization chamber from electric field interference. By making the electrode multi-functional, the patent achieves high measurement precision without adding separate dedicated components for each function, thus avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the field generation function with the ion gate structure by integrating an additional electrode into the existing electrode arrangement. This merging of functions allows the system to generate the required electric field without adding a separate field generation device, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining simple device architecture.
2Ease of manufacture
If field-switching ion gates are used to reduce device complexity, then ease of manufacture improves, but ion losses increase
Solution Approach 1:
The additional electrode compresses ion packets before they enter the drift chamber, concentrating the ions into a tighter bundle. This preliminary compression action ensures that ions are efficiently guided through the drift chamber and reduces the likelihood of ion losses, thereby maintaining high ease of manufacture with field-switching ion gates while minimizing ion losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The additional electrode acts as an intermediary element between the ion gate and the drift chamber. It mediates the transition of ions from the ionization chamber to the drift chamber by providing field shielding and compression, thereby reducing ion losses without requiring complex additional field generation devices, thus maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Measurement precision
If electric fields are present during ionization, then ion mobility separation improves, but harmful factors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the electric field application in time by using field-switching ion gates. The electric field is applied only during specific time intervals (when ions need to be released into the drift chamber) and is switched off during the ionization phase. This temporal segmentation allows ion mobility separation to occur without continuous electric field interference during ionization, thereby improving measurement precision while reducing harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The field-switching ion gate employs periodic switching of the electric field to control ion release. The electric field is periodically applied and switched off, creating a rhythmic pattern of ion release into the drift chamber. This periodic action ensures that ionization occurs without electric field interference while still achieving effective ion mobility separation during the periods when the field is active, thus improving measurement precision while minimizing harmful interference.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the resolution and sensitivity of ion mobility spectrometers while maintaining a compact form factor, reducing the need for additional components and minimizing ion losses.
Implementation Method 1
a field-switching ion gate comprising at least a first counter electrode and a first injection electrode, wherein a first ionization chamber is formed between the first counter electrode and the first injection electrode
Implementation Method 2
the first electrode allows for the implementation of the double-field switching technique... by generating appropriate potential gradients between the electrodes
Implementation Method 3
ions to be released into the first drift chamber by means of the first ion gate can be additionally influenced
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an ion mobility spectrometer which has at least a first drift chamber and a first switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the first drift chamber, wherein: - the first ion gate is designed as a field switching ion gate having at least a first counter electrode and a first injection electrode; wherein - a first ionization chamber is formed between the first counter electrode and the first injection electrode, into which first ionization chamber ions to be analyzed by ion mobility spectrometry can be fed from an ionization source. The invention also relates to an ion mobility spectrometer which has at least a first drift chamber and a first switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the first drift chamber and a second drift chamber separated from the first drift chamber and a second switchable ion gate for the controlled transfer of ions into the second drift chamber. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing samples by ion mobility spectrometry by means of an ion mobility spectrometer, e.g. an ion mobility spectrometer of the type mentioned above, wherein by means of an ionization source ions to be analyzed are produced from the sample and are provided in an ionization chamber of the ion mobility spectrometer.